The early ways of measuring time used sundials and candles. There were problems with the sundials and clocks.
One reason is that the sun dials won’t work unless it is sunny out. another reason is that they water dials won’t work unless they have water. the candles wont work unless the candles lit. the sun dials weren’t perfect because when it was raining cold or dark outside they didn’t work.
The water dials don’t work unless it has a vessel with water in it and a hole for the water to go out. The sun dials won’t work unless they have sunlight and a stick in the ground for the shadow. The candles didn’t work unless it had fire for the wax to burn
The early days were different the clock time was used by sundials and candles they had many problems.